The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-31
A sad Affair in which two Prominent
Lawyers OF the SewherrJ' Ear SEoot
Each Other.

On last SATURDAY, about Il O'Clock 4
mos; terrible and deeply TO be regretted
shooting scrape, took place between Coz.
John B. JoueS and Col. George john
stone, during the progress OF Al! arSu-
ment in Trial Justice Henry II. B.ease>s 5
court. in which the lawyers represented
opposite sides OF the question. The
case at bar was one branch OF the
Reeves Corum lawsuit. The readers OF
the HERALD AND NEWS are familiar
with the facts in this lawsuit up 10 last
Thurs day, when J. J. Corum began suit
against VI. c. Reeves for 800, which ne
claimed Reeves owed him for wages.
He took out warrant Of attachment
against Reeves property and had his
wagons and teams levied on until the
termination OF the suit. Reeves had
lett town and hal gone five or six miles
when the constable overlook him and
brought him and his teams back to
town.
Tie question before the Trial Justice
on Saturday was the motion to dissolve
the attachment. Carlisle and Jones rep
resented Corum, and Johnstonc q Gro
mer, Reeves. All the lawyers had con-
cluded their arguments when the shoot
ing took place, except Jones. The con-
versation that seemed to De the imme-
diate cause of the drawing Of pistols, and
the shooting, as near as we have been
able to gather it from those who were
present, was about as follows:
Mr.. Jones: ''If the Court please, coun-
sci for the defense admit at this is a
court OF record
Mr.. JohnStone: S'No, if the Court
please, we do not admit that, for the
Statutes expressly say that it is rot q
court OF record"
Mr.. Jones: Il was addressing MY re-
marks to the Court
Mr.. Johnstone: and was address
ing my remarks to the Court"
Mr.. Jones: "Win the Court hear my
argument?'
Mr.. 3lease: Yes, proceed, Mr.. Jones.
Don't interrupt him, Mr.. Johnstone."
Mr.. Jones: "Oh, ne can't confuse me;
I don't notice anything that comes from
such a source
Mr.. Johnstoue rising): ''lf the inso-
lcnt puppy will repeat that, I'll slap his
face
Atthat Jones drew his pistol and began
firing at Johnstone. flmost at the same
time Johnstone drew his pistol and began
firing at Jones After Johnstonc had
exhausted his first pistol he drew Sec
ond, but did not use it when he found
Jones had exhausted his ammunition.
Some persons who witnessed the shoot
ing say that Jones fired twice heiore
Johnstone fired at all; and others
once. All the firing was over in less
than 4 minute, and both parties had
emptied all the chambers Of their pis-
tolls. Four shots each were fired. john
stone had 3S calibrc, an Jones 81
calibre pistol. Johnstone was hit four
times-in the right ear, the thigh, and
twice in the left arm-none Of the
wounds being serious. Jones was shot
once through the body, the ball entering
on the left SIDE Just below the heart, and
lodging lower down on the opposite
side. John>tone is up and about his
business. Jones was Immediately re-
moved to Geo. S. Mowers office, where
he still is, and is in q very critical cond!-
tion. Everything that medical skill and
good nursing can do is being done for
him.
The whole affair is to be deeply re-
gretted. 1t is the earnest hope OF every
one that Jones will recover. George B..
Cromcr in attempting to stop the shoot
ing made narrow escape. Two shots
passed through his coat sleeves, but the
flesh was not hurt further than slightly
burned. Johnstone and Jones were not
more than four feet apart during the
shooting. The room was filled with
eager spectators, and it is wonder no
one else was hurt. When the shooting
began the spectators got under benches
and ont OF the room Us fast as possible.
1t is said the quarrel between Jones and
Johnstone had been brewing for several
days.
Both these young men are prominent
lawyers OF good standing in the comma
nifty and members of distinguished FAM
lilies, George Johnstone being son OF
the late Chancellor Job Johnstone, and
J. B. Jones sou Of Maj. Lambert J.
Jones, the Nestor of the Newberry Bar.
We have endeavored to state the facts
as concisely as justice to those interested
would admit, and more than this in this
connection we do not propose to do at
this time.
1t is needless to say that the court
was adjourned without much formality.
In the afternoon OF Saturday, the two
North Carolinians who had been having
each other, mutually agreed to stop all
suits between them, and signed an
agreement to that effect and departed.
The 4. VI. &. a. Organized.
On last Thursday night the young
men proposing 10 form Young Mems
Christian Association for Newbcrry, met
i'm rho Notholiet ('b,,r.b o.. l,,1 l.nr